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| 03-17-2008, 10:10 PM | #1 |
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Drove it -
Ok - I ran down to Rasmussen in Portland, Oregon to see the new 135. I heard they had one, so I had to see for myself the car that I have money down on, that I am waiting until July to pick up in Germany and I still haven't laid eyes on. When I got there my sales associate, Kourosh, told me that it wasn't officially ready to drive, but he threw me the key anyway. A word about Rasmussen - they are the best dealership - period. They do things like keep a demo of every model so a customer can drive it. Simple, but smart. When my 05 X3 went south, they gave me a new one. I don't care if BMW starts to sell crappy cars (unlikely, I know...), I will continue to buy from Rasmussen BMW.
So this is probably going to sound like everyone else who has driven the car, but I can't help myself from trying to put it down in words. Was it life changing? No - for christ's sake its a car, not a new child. Is it good? Oh yes. Is it great? I can't help but think so. The best way to describe the 135 is to describe what my BMW wasn't - a dedicated sports car. A car like my friend Pete's 993 C4 Background - I have a 06 330, sport. I've done my share of track days at PIR. I grew up around fast cars (many different kinds) and fast driving. I am NOT a pro, nor do I claim to be. Can I get my 330 to hang with other cars that I have no business hanging with on the track, yes. Can I hang with Pete? Sadly no. Pete just bought and has built the perfect 993 C4, and up until today, I was jealous. You see, I could never get a 911 - I need a more practical car, back seat, room for a little one, warranty, you know, it made sense. Pete doesn't have these confines, he can buy the 911, coil overs, exhaust kit, and tune it to the point it only makes sense on a track. Point is - I can't. Point is, I don't have to come July. I've driven Pete's 911 - got the tail out, felt the perfect balance of the not so perfect design of the rear engine 911. I fell in love. I was green with envy. When he pulled away from me in my 330 on the straight, was able to distance me in a corner, all this when he is still learning his car, I could tell he was in a different league. He had graduated to a whole different level where I couldn't follow, until now. The 135 is that car that I think all of us BMW freaks always wished our cars to be, but knew they weren't. Admit it, we all thought we were there with the 911, the Boxster , the Cayman. And even when I passed the Porsche now and again at PIR, I knew, I just knew it was more the lack of the ability of the driver in the Boxster than the superiority of my BMW. Until today. My time has come. I have a warranty, I have a back seat, and now damit, I have my dedicated sports car. Tail out? In a second. Perfect balance? Oh yeah. Neck muscle wrenching gear shifts? Yeah. Understeer? Sure, but there are ways of dealing with that... My drive included straight, full on acceleration, slow bends and fast curves. The 135 ate it up. I turned on the DTC and the car was wonderful. The sound, perfect. Chip this car? Not now, too much to enjoy the way it is. Simply put - it was great and exceeded my expectations. Watch out Pete, here I come... well, ok, in late August when my boat comes in and the car is trucked up from CA, and is redetailed.....ect.... A couple of interesting observations. The gear shift is not like the gear shift in the photos. This was completely covered in the perforated black leather, no metal at all. The exhaust was all black, but shiny, and big. Both pipes are much bigger than my 330's. I hope this helps as a description of the car that is different from most. If you must flame me - do so, but be nice, it's just my opinion. I can't wait. |
| 03-17-2008, 10:24 PM | #4 |
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Dude! I'm grinning like an idiot. Awesome review.
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The 1-series is compact, endlessly involving, and absurdly fast...It is also more fun than a caffeinated circus monkey. - Automobile.
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| 03-17-2008, 11:14 PM | #10 | |
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| 03-17-2008, 11:31 PM | #11 |
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Good descriptors, good writing, good God, where is my car!
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| 03-18-2008, 05:19 AM | #15 | |
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2019 M2 Competition (Sunset Orange) |
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| 03-18-2008, 09:45 AM | #19 |
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Wow - really great write up!:thumbup: Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts!
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135 Monaco Blue - ED April 19th 2008
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| 03-18-2008, 10:42 AM | #21 |
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If you guys think August is a long wait, how about June of 2009? :biggrin: That's when I'd get mine if everything aligns perfectly.
That was a great review!
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| 03-18-2008, 10:44 AM | #22 | |
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2017 M2 with every option in Long Beach Blue.
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